Editor, The Smithfield Times:

The town dispute with the Red Point Taphouse is a shameful display of government bullying. I ask Councilman Steve Bowman and his supporters regarding this issue to answer a few questions.

Is this a public health issue since it is regarding potable water being served to the public? Is the water being served at the Red Point restaurant unsafe? If the Department of Health has allowed this restaurant to operate, then I assume that the water is safe. Maybe we should ask for a water quality analysis of the well water versus the town water?

Mr. Bowman’s concern of “precedence” needs to be clarified. If the variance for Red Point is allowed, what other establishments may invoke the same variance? I ask Bowman to provide a specific example. 

Remember, this property was annexed by the town and the well in question existed prior to the annexation. Did the town ordinance on connection to water supply exist before or after the annexation? Precedence usually favors the government and not the governed.

Town Manager Michael Stallings, to say that the town does not “profit” from the charges that the town invokes on water is an accountant’s manipulation of the data. I assume you load overhead onto the operation which covers the town’s cost and additional town fees. Please, don’t expect us to accept your statement.

 

Warren White 

Carrollton